Florian is in the gym.
He’s on the treadmill. He’s running quickly, and for a moment I stare at his muscular, powerful body. Sweat glistens from his limbs.
Some of the players notice me. They lower their weights. I’m allowed to use this gym, but not when the team is here. Some look confused, others smirk, like I’m so in love that I can’t bear to be apart from Florian until lunchtime.
“Florian?”
Florian almost falls off the treadmill.
Fuck.
His eyes widen, his face reddens. He looks around.
He’s probably wondering who noticed—everyone, unfortunately, and who might tell Coach.
I force myself to giggle. “You’re a goofball, Florian. Always making me laugh.”
His eyes round, then he nods rapidly. “Yes.”
“Can we speak?” I ask.
His face pales. “Okay.”
The others stare as we hurriedly leave the room. I’m not sure that my quick thinking fooled them. I’m sure Florian hates me more.
I open the door of the massage room, and he follows me inside. “Sorry! I shouldn’t have disturbed you. I’m so sorry.”
He regards me.
“I-I just saw Troy, and he still thought we were together, and I thought we should, um, maybe talk about what we want to say?” I glance at the clock. “Before my 11:00 appointment. In seven minutes. I’m sorry. Maybe you should want to leave. Probably you just want to leave. I’m, uh, sorry I startled you on the treadmill. And I’m sorry about everything else too. Obviously. Well, maybe not that obviously. To you. Obviously to me.”
Florian narrows his gaze, like he’s not happy.
Which also totally makes sense.
Why would he be happy?
“Mateo,” he says sternly. “We have six minutes until your appointment.”
I quiet.
“I did not tell the team members,” he says. “You are right. It is…” His face contorts, and I hate it. I hate that I’ve made him upset. I hate it so much. “Embarrassing.”
I frown.
That wasn’t exactly the thing I thought he would be sad about.
“Do you want me to tell them?”
“No. It was my mistake.”
“It wasn’t! You were brain damaged.”
He flinches. He probably doesn’t want to be reminded of that.
“You must hate me,” I say.
“I did not give you a proper chance to correct the mistake. And now everyone will know weare not dating. That is embarrassing. And I embarrassed myself in front of you.”
